What is the proper approach to recording times on incident reports?

• A. Use precise times and the exact moment of events
• B. Use the 24-hour format where required
• C. Avoid estimating times
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

Recording times accurately creates a clear, defensible incident timeline. You want to capture the exact moments of events rather than guesses, because precise timings help establish the order of actions, support reliable recall, and strengthen the report in any review or court proceeding. Using precise times also helps when matches or discrepancies arise between witnesses, cameras, and logs—the timeline must be trustworthy.

Using the 24-hour format where required reduces confusion between morning and afternoon times and keeps documentation consistent across shifts and different reporting systems. This consistency is especially important when multiple officers or agencies review the same incident, as it eliminates ambiguity that can come from AM/PM notation.

Avoiding estimates is essential because estimated times can undermine credibility and complicate investigations. If the exact time isn’t known, record what is known and note the uncertainty rather than guessing. When possible, corroborate with other sources (dispatch logs, camera timestamps, officer notes) to pin down the sequence more reliably.

Together, these practices help ensure incident reports are precise, unambiguous, and credible.